Search found 254 matches

by DFW
02 Oct 2007, 17:37
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Vietnam Airlines to acquire 10 A350 XWB and 20 more A321s
Replies: 9
Views: 1430

earthman wrote:Whenever I read 'new standards in passenger comfort' I always read it as 'we can cram in even more people before they start complaining'.
He didn't say they were higher standards, just new standards. :lol: :lol:
by DFW
01 Oct 2007, 20:07
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: KLM starts daily flight to Dallas-Forth Worth
Replies: 1
Views: 473

Hmm...maybe I'll take the family to visit Amsterdam next year. :D

Seems rather odd to codeshare with NWA though. NWA only has two gates at DFW, so one would not be able to continue on to many other destinations with NWA.
by DFW
01 Oct 2007, 19:56
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Sukhoi Superjet roll-out
Replies: 43
Views: 6645

If Sukhoi makes a mistake converting metric system to inches , I wonder about the safety. Many nuts and bolts are calculated in imperial system, also hydraulics, tubes, pneumatics... With the very big problems of Boeing 737 in mind , where the fasteners are causing hair rising problems ( admitted b...
by DFW
16 Sep 2007, 02:58
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Story: Airbus to isefrom composite fuselage frames in A350
Replies: 2
Views: 667

This is an interesting development. I know that the 777 uses composite floorbeams, but I don't know what to make of composite frames. Would they be lighter? I'd be interested to hear how that works. It would still be heavier than wound composites. This would imply to me that Airbus is behind the tec...
by DFW
28 Jul 2007, 06:27
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: The Boeing Blended Wing
Replies: 13
Views: 2096

They said it was currently being developed by Boeing Skunkworks as a military transporter under the name X-48B. search results It's Boeing PHANTOMWORKS, not SKUNKWORKS. "Skunkworks" is an affectionate name first given to Lockheed's facility in California by its free thinking employees. Sk...
by DFW
24 Jul 2007, 06:30
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Professionalism TG cockpit crew questioned after bad landing
Replies: 1
Views: 752

I can't seem to follow the link. Maybe it's been involuntarily withdrawn? :wink:
by DFW
13 Jul 2007, 05:23
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Northwest selling A319's
Replies: 2
Views: 603

That's too bad. I like NWA's A319s. Better than AA's MD-80s when I need to fly to Detroit. And I would hate to fly a regional jet for that long.
by DFW
11 Jul 2007, 04:57
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Interesting Article on 787 (and other plane) Development
Replies: 6
Views: 911

And IMO, that is a crock. I agree. I think the article is practicing revisionist history. Boeing announced their focus on the Sonic Cruiser in the same press conference that they announced the cancellation of the 747-X project. I remember thinking at the time that Boeing had to announce something t...
by DFW
28 Jun 2007, 07:18
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: 787 Rollout
Replies: 105
Views: 15387

Gorgeous airplane!!! She's got clean lines.

My wife doesn't understand it when I say an airplane has clean lines. I guess only an airplane geek can appreciate them.
by DFW
19 Jun 2007, 06:09
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: 787 Rollout
Replies: 105
Views: 15387

Hindsight is 20/20. Think back about 3-4 years ago. Airbus was flying high with excitement over the A380, the A320s were selling great (still are), and Airbus was surpassing Boeing in both orders and deliveries. Boeing's Sonic Cruiser was a bust, their CEO's Condit and then Stonecipher were forced o...
by DFW
18 Jun 2007, 06:54
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Airbus changes its ways - "We don't want to be the bigg
Replies: 4
Views: 955

I suppose I am more cynical than everyone else. I just see these comments as trying to put a positive spin on a bad situation. Boeing is on track to deliver more revenue than Airbus very soon, even though Airbus might deliver more airplanes (owing to the popularity of its A320's). Why not spin it as...
by DFW
16 Jun 2007, 01:16
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: A350XWB Construction ideas
Replies: 21
Views: 3950

There are two possible reasons I can think of as to why Airbus is using the composite panel on aluminum frame rather than composite barrel sections. 1st possibility: Airbus does not have the engineering or manufacturing capability to provide barrel sections of that size by 2013. There are only a sma...
by DFW
02 Jun 2007, 06:17
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: BC-17? What might be the market?
Replies: 10
Views: 1688

I can't see an airplane designed for specific military missions being successful in commercial aviation. The airplane would be overdesigned for some things -- short takeoff and landings, survivability (military design requirement is 12 Gs forward and 5 Gs up, vs. 9 Gs forward and 3 Gs up, if I remem...
by DFW
11 May 2007, 05:26
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: New A350XWB design
Replies: 34
Views: 4186

I wouldn't title this posting as a "new design" of the A350. It's more like a design iteration. Airbus is finally settling down and hopefully moving forward rather than in circles at this point. The 777 used the same avionics bay as the 767, to save on cost and design time. That makes it l...
by DFW
21 Apr 2007, 15:28
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Airlines to introduce rear-facing seats??
Replies: 21
Views: 2985

The only benefit I can see is if you happen to be sitting next to Gisele Bundgren, you'd be facing her the entire flight. But since she doesn't flight steerage class ..... :D
by DFW
21 Apr 2007, 06:51
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Airbus to drop prices on A350XWB
Replies: 37
Views: 3866

Sorry tsv, but it is a big deal for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the 787 is a smaller airplane, so it's suppose to be cheaper. Secondly, The 787 costs less to manufacture. No, I am not privy to any costs comparisons. But as an engineer with both composite and metal design experience, I can tell you...
by DFW
20 Apr 2007, 16:12
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Airlines to introduce rear-facing seats??
Replies: 21
Views: 2985

Yes, Southwest has rear-facing seats behind bulkheads. It's a rather odd feeling during takeout. You don't feel it on landing because the descent angle is more shallow.
by DFW
20 Apr 2007, 16:08
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Airbus to drop prices on A350XWB
Replies: 37
Views: 3866

Even though I responded in another posting why this is a bad idea, I can't say that I blame Airbus. The sales of the 787 is shattering records, and desparate measures need to be taken to counter that. And I agree that the Euro cannot sustain its current value vs. the Dollar. It has to come down even...
by DFW
20 Apr 2007, 06:04
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Airbus New A350 Closes Gap With Boeing, Emirates Says
Replies: 42
Views: 4215

I can believe the 50% figure. 40% discounts have been given away in the past, although in extremely rare situations. If Airbus feels that it needs the A350 in order to remain a major player, and it gets government launch aid, then 50% is not out of the question. However, I think it is very shortsigh...
by DFW
16 Apr 2007, 00:31
Forum: Latest aviation news
Topic: Big Order(s) for Boeing
Replies: 15
Views: 2511

The cabin is a giant pressure vessel. The ability of a material to hold that pressure without bursting is termed "hoop strength". In comparison to aluminum, the hoop strength of filament wound composites is off the charts. So you can pressurize the cabin to a pressure closer to what your b...